Ventilating apparatus



Aug. 12, 1941. KURTH 2,252,254

VENTILATING APPARA'PUS Filed Aug. 26. 1938 MW H 22 Fif I .9 I

Patented Au 12, 1941 VENTILATING APPARATUS v Franz J. Kurth, New York, N. "Y, assignor a Ancmostat Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application August 26, 1938, Serial No. 226,987

Claims.

This invention relates to ventilating apparatus, andhas particular reference to improvements in valve devices for regulating flow of air from air supply ducts to air outlet or distributing devices.

Generally speaking, the object of the invention is to provide a valve device for the purpose stated which is of simple, inexpensive construction, which is easy to install and to operate, which 'is thoroughly reliable and efficient in operation,

- invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more\fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and defined in the appended claims.-

In the accompanying drawing, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in the different views:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through an air supply duct and a related air distributing device, illustrating the operative association therewith of a valve device constructed in accordance with one practical embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-.-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged, central, longitudinal section through the valve device) Figure 4 is a detail sectional View 4-4 of Fig. 3. I

Figure 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary ection similar to Fig. 1, illustrating an alternativ \em- 11 the line bodiment'of the invention; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating an alternative form of valve disk.

Referring to the drawing in detail, A desig-- nates, generally, an air supply duct h ving an air outlet opening II) in a wall II the f, and B designates, generally, an air distributing or diffusing device connected with said supply duct ing a rearward extension of the rear 'or smaller, open end of the larger or outermost flaring member I2, is divided into a plurality of separate streams which flow forwardly through the flaring passageways. between said members l2 at reduced velocity, thereby being delivered from the device substantially draftlessly. Such a device is of proved efiiciency in effecting substantially draftless distribution of air and, therefore,

has been chosen for purposes of illustrationin the present instance. Since however, the valve means comprising the present invention is not restricted to use in association with any particular air outlet or distributing device, but may be used equally as well in association with a variety of specifically different air outlet or distributing devices, it will be understood that the illustrated device B merely is representative of a number of specifically different air outlet or distributing devices whichmay be used in lieu thereof. According to the invention the flaring members l2 are fixed with respect to each other in. any suitable manner as, for example, by means of struts as illustrated for example in my prior Patent No. 2,142,134 of January 3, 1939. The neck I3 is fixed with respect to the outermost flaring member and with respect to the duct A. Therefore, the flaring members 12 are fixed with respect to said duct when the device is operatively connected therewith. 1

In accordance with the invention, a bearing member I4 is suitably mounted within the device B, preferably centrally thereof, and in this hearing member is adjustably mounteda stem l5 which carries a valve l6 for regulating flow of air from the ductA through the outlet opening Ill and hence to the device B.

According to the specific example of the inv at their outer ends, are fastened to said neck Aito distribute or diffuse air delivered therefrom byscrews t8 which pass through openings in said. neck and are threaded into openings in the outer ends of said arms. Alternatively, the bearing member I4 may be mounted within the device a B in any other suitable manner. In any event,

said bearing member is provided with a longitudinal bore l9 through'which extends the valve stem l5, and in a bore 20 in the inner end of at least one-of the arms I! is slidably mounted a friction clutch element 2| which is constantly urged inwardly by a spring 22 for cooperation with any one of a series of spaced recesses 23 in the stem l5 to hold the latter, and consequently the valve IS, in any one of a plurality of different positions.

The valve l6 may be either rotatable or longitudinally, movable to accomplish its intended purpose of regulating flow of air from the duct A to th device B. In the former case, the recesses 2 are, of course, spaced circumferentially 'about the stem l5, while in the latter case, said recesses are, of course, spaced longitudinally along said stem. In the example illustrated in the present instance, the valve I6 is longitudinally adjustable and, therefore, the recesses 23 are spaced longitudinally along the stem l5. Moreover, said recesses preferably are in the formof annular grooves as shown so that the clutch element 2| may cooperate with the same regardless of the rotated position of the stem l5 relative to the bearing member l4.

The spring 22, which is disposed within the bore 20 between the clutch element 2| and the wall defining the inner end of said bore 20, exerts sufficient pressure against said clutch element to hold the same engagedin any given recess 23 against any force which normally may be exerted upon the stem l5. Consequently, the valve I6 is held in any adjusted position in which it may be placed as determined by engagement of the clutch element 2| with any one of the recesses 23. However, the stem l5 may readily be manually rotated or shifted longitudinally to effect disengagement of the clutch element 2| from any given recess and engagement thereof with any other recess to efiect a desired adjustment of the valve l6. Accordingly, the valve I6 is readily adjustable to different operative positions and is effectively held against accidental displacement from any adjusted position in.

which it may be placed.

The stem |5 extends through the smaller flaring member |2 forwardly of the device B and at its forward end is equipped with a ring 24 or with. a knob or handle of any other suitable type to facilitate its manipulation.

The valve l6 may have a variety of forms. As illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing, said valve I5 is in the form of a metal disk 25 of greater mounted in any desired manner.

valve l6 longitudinally relative to the stem l5 to insure its proper seating when closed.

If desired, a second bearing or guide member for the stem l5 may be provided to relieve the bearing member H of undue stress due to lateral pressure which. may be exerted against the stem I5 during manipulation of the same to adjust the valve Hi. This second bearing or guide member may have any suitable form and may be As illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawing said second bearin member, designated as 29, is in the form of a disk of frustro-conical shape, fitted within the smaller flaring member l2, fastened therein by screws 30 and having a central opening through which the stem l5 slidably extends.

Figure 6 illustrates an alternative form of valve designated generally as I6. This valve is in the form of a disk 3| of rubber or equivalent soft, pliable material medially stiffened and reinforced by metal disks 32 clamped against theopposite faces thereof by nuts 28 by means of which it is fastened to the stem l5 in the same general manner as set forth in connection with the first described form of valve. The metal disks 32 terminate inwardly of the marginal portion of the disk 3| whereby the said marginal portion of said disk 3| is free to flex slightly when engaged with the wall II of the duct A to securely close the opening l0. Obviously, the metal disks 32 may be eliminated if desired or said metal disks may be of very small diameter. In either case the metal disks 32 are of sufficiently smaller diameter than the opening ||l so that the disk 3| may be flexed for insertion and removal through said opening to and from its operative position in the duct A.

While the bearing member l4 may be of any desired shape, it preferably is rounded at its diameter than the opening I0, disposed within the duct A and marginally equipped with a rim 26 of soft rubber or other-suitable soft material for engagement with the duct wall outwardly of the opening ID to close said opening when the valve is in its forwardmost position.

Obviously, by adjusting the valve to positions spaced different distances from the wall II the amount of air which may flow from the duct A through the opening It] may be regulated.

While the disk 25 may be provided with the rim 26 or its equivalent in any suitable manner, a preferred manner of attaching the rim to said disk is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing. The rim is of split, tubular form and the marginal portion of the disk is formed with tongues 21 which are bent to extend alternately from opposite sides of said disk. In applying the rim the same is spread apart where it is split and then is slipped over the marginal portion of the disk and allowed to resume its normal form, which results in the tongues 21 engaging the interior wall of the rim and thereby retaining the same in assembly with thedisk.

The disk 25 may be fastened to the stem IS rear end and of tapered rounded form toward its forward end so as to offer little resistance to air flow over the same. As shown, said member H is disposed rearwardly .of the rear end of the smaller flaring member l2 and acts to prevent supplied air from entering said innermost flaring member l2 and to deflect supplied air into the passageway between said smaller flaring member and the next larger flaring member. In

this way there is caused a suction effect and a consequent inward flow of air through the smaller flaring member l2 and amixing within the device B of a portion of the supplied air with air drawn from the room or other enclosure into which air from the device B is delivered if the second stem bearing or guide member 29 is not used or if said member 29 is provided with openings for flow of air therethrough.

Because the portion of the valve IE or l6 which contacts with the wall II is soft and pliable, and because of the neat, sliding fit of thestem l5 or I5 in its hearing or bearings, the valve obviously is noiselessly operable. Moreover, because of the construction of the valve It or l6 as shown and described, air flowing over the same does not result in producing undesirable humming noise.

Without further description it is thought that the features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and it will of course be understood that,

open-ended, hollow, flaring members disposed inspaced apart relationship to provide a' plurality of flaring air passageways therebetween, the larger ends of said members being disposed at the front of the device and said members being fixed with respect to each other and with respect to said duct, a bearing member mounted in said air outlet device, a valve stem adjustably mounted in said bearing member, and a valve carried by said stemand disposed within said duct to regulate flow of air from said duct through said opening to said air outlet device, said valve stem extending through said device and being exposed at the front thereof for manipulation to adjust said valve without disturbing the fixed relationship between said flaring members.

2. Ventilating apparatus comprising an air flow of air from said duct through said" opening vto said air outlet device, said valve comprising a metal disk,- a longitudinally slit tube of soft, pliable material engaged over the peripheral portion of said disk to seat against said-duct in surrounding relationship to the air outlet opening therein, and tongues extending laterally from said disk and disposed within said tube to .re-

tain the latter in assembly with said disk."

4. Ventilating apparatus comprising an air supply duct having an air'outlet opening, an air outlet device connected with said duct in air receiving relationship to said'bpening, a valve stem extending through said air outlet device into said duct, means mounting said valve stem for adjustment, and a valve carried by said stem and disposed within said duct for'controlling flow of air from said duct throughsaid opening to said air outlet. device, said valve comprising'a disk of soft, pliable material, and reinforcing and stifiening metal disks clamped against opposite sides thereof, said metal disks being of lesser diameter than said soft, pliable disk to leave the marginal portion of the latter free for seating supply duct having an air outlet opening, an air outlet device connected with said duct in air receiving relationship to said opening, a bearing member within said air outlet device, mounting means for said bearing member comprising arms extending therefrom and connected to said air outlet device, a valve stem adjustably mounted in said bearing member,' a valve'carried by said stem and disposed within said duct for controlling flow of air from said duct through said opening; said valve stem having spaced recesses, one of said arms having a bore opening through its inner end into said bearing member, and a yieldable friction clutch element in said bore-for cooperation with a selected recess of said stem to stem extending through said air outlet device into said,duct, means mounting said valve stem for adjustment, and "a valve carried by said stem and disposed within said duct for controlling cooperation with said duct in surrounding relationship to the air outlet opening therein, said metal disks also being of leser diameter than said an outlet opening to permit insertion and removal of said valve through said opening to and from its operative position in said duct.

5. Ventilating apparatus comprising an air.

tween, a bearing member mounted in said air outlet device in axial alinement with the smaller of said flaring members and rearwardly of the rearend thereof, a second bearing mounted within the smaller of said flaring members, a valve stem slidably mounted in said bearing members,

friction clutch means for holding said stem in diiferent positions of adjustment, and a valve carried by said valve stem and disposed within said duct forcontrolling flow of air from said duct through said opening to said air outlet device. 

